Ultimate Bar Cart: Locally Crafted Beer

No matter how good your cocktails are, there will always be a few brew-loving guests who won’t branch out beyond one Negroni. ’Tis the season to treat them to the comforts and joys of a locally crafted seasonal ale.

Wild Rose Brewery

A perennial city favourite, the release of Wild Rose’s Cherry Porter is highly anticipated every November—and it always sells out, fast. If you can get your hands on the one-litre jugs, your guests are in for the beer equivalent of a delicious slice of Black Forest cake. A natural served with desserts like cheesecake and chocolate mousse, this porter pairs equally well with hearty meats like bison or short ribs. If you can’t find any at the local liquor store, get yourself to Wildrose’s Taproom for a pint and vow to be quicker on the hop next fall.

Big Rock Brewery

The guys at this Calgary brewing biggie have a good sense of humour as well as a good sense of taste. Their winter release, the Lumberjack Pack, boasts a number of festive brews, ranging from the piney, spruce-infused Spruce Goose to the Hibernation Ale and the Twisted Antler, a strong dark ale with notes of caramel, chocolate, coffee, raisin and licorice.

Village Brewery

As the relatively new kid on the block, Village Brewery has done an impressive job of offering local beer enthusiasts both steadfast favourites and creative seasonal releases. Its Chai Winter Porter is big and bold (6.2 percent), with a heavy body, a strong caramel-and-chocolate backbone and a spicy tea finish courtesy of a custom blend created with Silk Road Spice Market. A chai-latte lover’s dream come true.

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